What is medieval literature
medieval literature It is all that was produced during the Middle Agesa period that extended from the 5th century to the 15th century approximately.
Thus, to define this period of literature it is necessary to resort to extra-literary aspects, such as the historical context of literary production and the way in which it influenced it.
The Middle Ages begins approximately with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and extends until the arrival of Columbus to America in 1492.
The Middle Ages were characterized by the preeminence of the feudal system, the use of the Latin language as a language of diplomacy and high culture, the expansion of the Germanic people, the crusades, the formation of national monarchies and the immense political power and cultural influence of the Catholic Church in all areas of life. All these aspects will be reflected in the literature produced in this period.
See also Middle Ages.
Characteristics of medieval literature
Language
The language that served as a vehicle for culture was Latin, however, beginning in the Late Middle Ages, texts written in vernacular languages began to proliferate.
Orality
The most common form of dissemination of literary works was through troubadours, since the vast majority of the population did not know how to read.
Verse
Verse writing was the most cultivated. Furthermore, since it was easier to memorize, verse composition helped troubadours remember the texts. Subgenres such as the lyric, the ode, the elegy, the eclogue, the epithalamio, the romance or the sonnet were the most popular.
Prose
Texts such as chivalric novels were written in prose, which recounted the exploits of medieval knights; the chronicles, which related historical issues chronologically; the hagiographies, which narrated the lives of the saints, or the books of lineage, where the genealogy of the nobility was collected.
Anonymity
Many works from this period do not fall within our traditional concept of authorship, so they are not signed. In fact, many of them circulated thanks to the troubadours.
Originality
Originality was not an aspiration, so stories based on real events, popular tradition or classical texts were collected and recreated.
Religious theme
Religious themes were recurrent, since the Catholic Church exercised strong patronage.
Didacticism
The works had a didactic function, since they sought to transmit Christian values and models of behavior to society.
Literary works of the Middle Ages
anonymous works
The BalladsSong of Mio CidBeowulfSong of RolandSong of the NibelungsThe Golden LegendDigenis AcritasAmadís de Gaula
Works and authors
The Decameron, by Giovanni Bocaccio. The Divine Comedy, by Dante Aligheri. Tirant lo Blanc, by Joanot Martorell. Theological Summa, by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Confessions, by Saint Augustine. Days of Wrath, by Saint Francis of Assisi. Cantigas of Santa María, by Alfonso , by Geoffrey Chaucer. Songbook, by Petrarch.